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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Prague, Czechia: how to avoid them
Photo made by Jarod Barton on Pexels.com
Prague is generally safe and honest for tourists, with the main risks being overpriced taxis from unlicensed drivers, poor exchange rates near tourist squares, and restaurants adding fees not shown on menus. The biggest thing to watch is airport taxis without a meter or a clearly displayed official fixed fare.
Updated September 2026
Common scams in Prague, Czechia and how to avoid them
1. Unlicensed airport drivers
How it works: Drivers approach arriving passengers inside the terminal offering rides at inflated flat rates. They are not licensed to pick up at the airport and may use rigged meters or no meter at all.
How to avoid it: Walk to the official taxi rank outside, use a licensed car with a visible meter, or book via the Bolt, Uber or Liftago app.
2. Tourist-area exchange booths
How it works: Exchange booths near Old Town Square and Charles Bridge advertise headline rates but add huge commissions or use misleading 'buy low, sell high' spreads that appear only in fine print.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs or card payments. If exchanging cash, compare the final amount you receive, not the advertised rate, and avoid booths with commission disclaimers.
3. Hidden service charges
How it works: Some tourist-area restaurants add a service fee or cover charge that was not shown on the menu, or present menus with prices excluding VAT and service.
How to avoid it: Ask whether the displayed price includes VAT and service before ordering, and review the itemized bill before paying.
4. Bird poo hand trick
How it works: A person claims bird droppings landed on your shoulder or coat, wipes it off and picks your pocket or demands payment for the 'clean-up'.
How to avoid it: Politely decline help, keep moving, and keep bags and valuables in front of you. It is a staged distraction.
5. Moneychanger sleight of hand
How it works: Exchange staff count out the agreed amount slowly and deliberately, then short-change the customer by taking notes back or using sleight of hand during counting.
How to avoid it: Count your money carefully before leaving the counter, and use a bank or major ATM instead of street exchange booths.
6. Fake police checks
How it works: Someone posing as a police officer asks to check your wallet for 'counterfeit money' or 'drug checks', then removes cash while examining it.
How to avoid it: Real Czech police officers carry visible ID and never ask tourists to hand over cash in the street. Offer to walk to a police station instead.
7. Menu swap after ordering
How it works: Some restaurants present one menu with cheap prices and then present a different bill with higher prices at the end, claiming a 'different menu' for foreigners.
How to avoid it: Confirm the price of what you order when ordering, and photograph the menu with your phone so you have evidence if the bill does not match.
Official tickets for the top sights in Prague, Czechia
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): 650 Kč - 850 Kč (€27 - €35). Use the official taxi rank outside the terminal, where licensed drivers use a meter. Refuse unlicensed drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall offering rides. Confirm the fare or meter before getting in.
Best alternative: Airport Express (AE) bus to Náměstí Republiky, then metro/tram; or Bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín then metro line A (200 Kč (€8.18), about 45 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- 39 Kč (€1.60) (30-minute ticket: 39 CZK paper, 36 CZK in the PID Litacka app; 90-minute ticket 50 CZK (2026 tariff))
- Validation rules
- Validate your ticket by stamping it in the yellow machine on the platform or inside the tram/bus before boarding or immediately upon entering. Failure to validate counts as travelling without a valid ticket, even if you hold one.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- 1,200 Kč (€49.08). 1,200 CZK if paid on the spot, 1,500 CZK within 15 days, 2,000 CZK afterwards (2026 tariff)
- Paying by card
- Contactless bank cards work on trams and buses for short fares, and the official PID Lítačka app sells tickets. Daily and longer passes are good value.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Rounding up the bill in restaurants is customary but not mandatory; 5-10% is appreciated for good service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Cover and service charges: Some restaurants add a service charge or a fee for bread/bread basket that is not clearly shown on the menu. Ask if the VAT and service are included in menu prices before ordering, and check the bill before paying.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Always choose to be charged in CZK and decline dynamic currency conversion when prompted. Prefer ATMs attached to major banks. Some independent ATMs in tourist areas charge high fees and show misleading exchange rates. Use card payments where possible for better rates.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Main train station (Praha hlavní nádraží): Around the station and nearby parks late at night, keep bags closed and valuables out of sight; some reports of pickpocketing and aggressive beggars.
- Old Town and Charles Bridge: Crowded pedestrian areas attract pickpockets, especially in the evening and on trams during rush hour; keep wallets and phones in front pockets.
Emergency number
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Prague, Czechia
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated September 2026.